Oxford MCCU’s bowlers were made to toil as Sussex rattled up a big first-innings score on the opening day of their first-class match in The Parks with openers Ben Brown and Joe Gatting smashing centuries.

With the south coast visitors fielding an inexperienced line-up, the students went into the game hoping to emulate arch rivals Cambridge, who claimed a first-class scalp by beating Kevin Pietersen’s Surrey earlier this month.

But by the close of play any such thoughts looked a distant dream as Sussex powered to 462-7 dec after winning the toss and electing to bat, before Oxford replied with 28-0.

Brown and Gatting, nephew of former England captain Mike Gatting, took advantage of a good pitch to hit 112 and 106 respectively.

They matched each other virtually run for run as they put on 224 for the first wicket, before Charlie Ellison, son of former England and Kent seamer Richard Ellison, made the breakthrough by having Gatting caught by Ben Williams.

His runs came off 102 balls and included 22 fours.

As is often the case after a big stand, Brown quickly followed, bowled by Marc Milligan, with his innings lasting 113 deliveries, and also featuring 22 boundaries.

Ellison struck again to trap former New Zealand batsman Lou Vincent lbw for 13 to make it 248-3.

Andy Hodd was next to go for 34, snapped up by Milligan off leg-spinner Alex Scott, who followed up by having Ollie Rayner caught by Dan Conway for 40 to make it 350-5.

Matt Machan then took centre stage, before falling agonisingly short of becoming the third Sussex player to make a century when he became Scott’s third victim, lbw for 99 off 111 balls with 15 fours.

Skipper Will Beer’s dismissal for 33 by Ellison (3-69) signalled the declaration, leaving Oxford openers Sam Agarwal and Richard Coughtrie to successfully negotiate 15 overs before the close.

Scores: Sussex 462-7 dec (B Brown 112, J Gatting 106, M Machan 99), Oxford MCCU 28-0.